Hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] was the first woman who believed in Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] and spent all her wealth in the way of her Prophet and promoting Islam. She had unique virtues and qualities that were noticed by almighty god, Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] and “Ahl al-Bayt” [AS]. Many virtues have been said for her in Shia resources. Sheikh “Ali Namazi” says in this regard:

“فضائل خديجة ومناقبها أكثر من أن تحصى متفرّقة على الأبواب”

Virtues of hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] in different parts are countless.

“Al-Namazai” – Mustadrak Safinah al-Bihar – vol. 3, p 34

In this article, we discuss some of the virtues of mother of the believers, hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] in Shia resources and narratives:

Hadrat “Khadijah”, the best wife of Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]:

“Ibn Babawaih Qomi” quotes a narrative about hadrat Khadijah’s superiority over other wives of Prophet [PBUH]:

Messenger of Allah [PBUH] married fifteen women that slept with thirteen of them and when Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] died, nine of his wives were alive. The names of those whom Prophet [PBUH] didn’t sleep with them are: “Umrah and Sana”, and the names of thirteen women that messenger of Allah slept with them are:

Imam “Sadiq” [AS] says: when hadrat “KHadijah” [AS] passed away, hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] who was a kid kept refuging to messenger of god [PBUH] and would say: O father! Where is my mother? Imam said: then “Gabriel” came down to messenger of Allah [PBUH] and said: remember me to “Fatimah” and tell her: your mother is in paradise, in a house made ofstraw that its walls are made of gold and its pillars are from ruby. And she’s beside “Asiya” wife of Pharaoh and “Mary”.

“Tusi”, Amali – p 175

The leader of women in paradise

Although, it’s well-known that hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] is the leader of women in paradise, but it’s been mentioned in some narratives that mother of hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] is the leader of women in paradise as well.

Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] said: O people! Do you want me to introduce you the best people in terms of grandfather and grandmother? They say: Yes, we do, messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: “Hassan” and “Husain” that I’m their grandfather and their grandmother is “Khadijah” who is the leader of women in paradise. Then he said: do you want me to introduce you the best people in terms of parents? We said: Yes, we do. Messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: “Hassan” and “Husain” whom their parents are “Ali” and “Fatimah” who is the leader of women in two worlds.

“Khazaz Razi” – Kifayah al-Athar – p 98

It’s necessary to mention that this narrative isn’t in contradictory with the narrative that introduces hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] as the leader of women in paradise, because hadrat “Khadijah” is the leader of women in paradise except hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] as it’s written in this narrative that hadrat “Fatimah” has this position in two worlds and is the leader of women in two worlds, it means both in this world and hereafter, hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] has superiority over all women even her mother.

Intercession

It’s been said in a narrative that hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] will intercede Shias in the day of resurrection:

“And between them is a veil, and on the ramparts there shall stand men”

Imam “Sadiq” [AS] said: it’s a wall between paradise and hell, Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], “Ali”, “Hassan”, “Husain”, “Fatimah” and “Khadijah” [AS] are standing over it and shout: where are our lovers and Shias? Shias and lovers are brought to them and they know them by their name and their fathers’ name. This is the tafsir of this verse:

“يعرفون كلا بسيماهم”

They hold their hands and pas them through “Sirat” bridge and take them to paradise.

“Husain ibn Sulayman ibn Muhammad” – Mukhtasar al-Basa’ir – p 174

According to this narrative, hadrat “Khadijah”, along with infallibles [AS], will intercede Shias.

Paradise is eager to see hadrat “Khadijah” [AS]

It’s been said in a narrative that paradise is eager to four women that one of them is hadrat “Khadijah” [AS]; Allameh “Majlisi” quotes this narrative in his book:

“Ibn Babawayh” writes in his book that Prophet “Muhammad” [PBUH] said: paradise is eager to four women: “Mary” daughter of “Imran”, “Asiya”, wife of Pharaoh, who will be prophet’s wife in paradise, “Khadijah” [AS], wife of Prophet [PBUH] in this world and hereafter and hadrat “Fatimah” [AS].

“Majlisi” – Bihar al-Anvar – vol. 43, p 53

It’s written in another narrative that hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] has particular tent in paradise:

“Abu Basir” says: I was with imam “Sadiq” [AS] that he hit his leg on the ground, a sea was appeared on which there were ships made of silver and both of us got on one of them until we get to a place in which tents from silver were set up, imam “Sadiq” [AS] went to them and came out then he told me: did you see the first tent? I said: Yes, I did. He said: that is Prophet’s [PBUH] tent, second one belongs to commander of the faithful [AS], third one is for hadrat “Fatimah” [AS], fourth one is for “Khadijah” [AS], fifth one is for Imam “Hassan” [AS], sixth one belongs to imam “Husain” [AS], seventh tent is for “Ali ibm Husain” [AS], eighth one is for my father and last one is mine, after our death, each one of us will reside in one of these tents.

“Saffar” – Basa’ir al-Darajat – vol. 1, p 405

Hadrat “Khadijah” is amongst Outstrippers and those who are near to Allah

“Jabir ibn Abdullah” has quoted from Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] about this verse:

وَمِزَاجُهُ مِنْ تَسْنِيمٍ

And its mixture is Tasneem,

Surah Al-Mutaffifin – verse 27

It’s the best beverage in paradise that Muhammad [PBUH] and his dynasty drink from it, messenger of Allah [PBUH], “Ali ibn abi Talib”, “Fatimah”, “Khadijah” [AS] and their children are the instances of outstrippers and those who are near to Allah, this creek streams from top of their castle in paradise.

Messenger of Allah [PBUH]: in the night of “Mi’raj”, when “Gabriel” took me toward skies, on our way back I said to “Gabriel”: “Do you have any request?” “Gabriel” said: “my request is that you extend a hello to “Khadijah” for me and god”, when messenger of Allah [PBUH] reached on the earth, he conveyed “Gabriel” and god’s greeting to “Khadijah”, she said: indeed god is greeting and greeting is from him and greeting returns to him and salute on “Gabriel”.

Messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: out of everything, almighty god selected four things, amongst angels he selected: “Gabriel”, “Michael”, “Esrafil” and angel of death and amongst Prophets, he chose four Prophets to fight by sword: “Abraham”, “David”, “Moses” and me, and amongst clans, god chose four clans and said: Allah chose Adam and Noah, the House of Abraham and the House of Imran above all worlds. {Surah 3- verse 33} and amongst cities, god chose four cities and said: By the fig and the olive, and the Mount, Sinai, and this safe city {Surah 94 – verses 1 to 3}, the meaning of fig is “Medina” and the meaning of olive is “Jerusalem” and mount, Sinai, means “Kufa” and the safe city is “Mecca” and amongst women, god chose four women: “Mary”, “Asiya”, “Khadijah” and “Fatimah” and amongst “Hajj” rituals he chose four rituals: sacrificing, saying “Labbayk”, “Ihram” and “Tawaf” and amongst months, almighty god chose four months: “Rajab”, “Shawwal”, “Dhu al-Qi’dah” and “Dhu al-Hijjah” and he chose four days: Friday, eighth of “Dhu al-Hijjah”, Day of “Arafah” and Day of “Eid al-Adha” {sacrifice feast}

“Abayah” was asked about the meaning of this verse {that why Prophet is called orphan?}

أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَى

Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?

Surah Ad-Dhuha – verse 6

He said: Prophet was named orphan; because he was unique on the earth, so god told him: “أ لم يجدك يتيما فآوى”, it means: weren’t you alone and unique? So, almighty god gathered people around you and revealed your excellence to them until they knew you and وجدك ضالا فهدى, it means: amongst your tribe and relatives you were called wanderer, then almighty god guided them by knowing you and they’d say that you’re poor, then god made you rich by Khadijah’s [AS] wealth and increased your excellence and honor and granted your prayers so that if you pray and ask god turning a stone into gold for you, he’ll do so at once and when you didn’t have food, god sent you food and prepared you with water whenever you were thirsty and days that you had no supporter, he helped you by angels and made you to win over your enemies.

Those who say: 'Lord give us of our wives and children what pleases our eyes and make us leaders to the fearful.

Surah Al-Furqan – verse 74

Prophet [PBUH] said: I said to “Gabriel”: O “Gabriel”! Who are “Wives” in this verse: she said: “Khadijah”, I said: who are “Children”? She said: “Fatimah” [AS], I said: who are “What pleases our eyes? She said: “Hassan” and “Husain” [AS], I said: who is “Make us leaders to the fearful”? She said: “Ali ibn Abi Talib” [AS].

When Prophet [PBUH] lost both of them in “Mecca”, great grief swept across him and was afraid that hypocrites would kill him that’s why he complained to “Gabriel”, almighty god revealed to him that leave this land that its people are oppressors and migrate to “Medina” that no companion is left for you in “Mecca”, then messenger of Allah [PBUH] went to “Medina”.

“Kulayni” – Al-Kafi – vol. 8, p 340

She was the first woman who believed in Prophet [PBUH]

It’s been quoted in many narratives that hadrat “Ali” [AS] was the first person who believed in messenger of Allah [PBUH] and hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] was the first woman who believed in him, when messenger of Allah [PBUH] was sick, hadrat “Fatimah” [AS] was so upset, Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] would console her by stating the good memory of their {“Ali and Khaijah”} converting to Islam:

“Salman Farsi” says: during Prophet’s [PBUH] last disease - after this disease Prophet left the world - I visited him… he said to hadrat “Fatimah” [AS]: indeed “Ali” [AS] is the first person of this nation who believed in god and his messenger, “Ali” [AS] and “Khadijah” [AS], your mother are the first persons who converted to Islam.

And it’s been quoted from commander of the faithful [AS] that one day messenger of Allah [PBUH] remembered hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] in front of his wives and cried, “Aisha” said: why are crying for an old lady? Prophet [PBUH] said: she confirmed me, when all of you denied me and believed in me when all of you were hypocrite and gave birth to a baby for me when all of you were infertile.

“Majlisi” – Bihar al-Anwar – vol. 16, p 8

Hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] completed her faith by swearing allegiance with commander of the faithful [AS]:

“Isa ibn Mustafad” says: “Musa ibn Ja’far” [AS] said: I asked my father “Ja’far ibn Muhammad” about the beginning of Islam and that how “Ali” [AS] and “Khadijah” [AS] converted to Islam? My father said: when messenger of Allah [PBUH] invited them to Islam, he said: O “Ali”! and O “Khadijah”! “Gabriel” is with me and invites you to become Muslim to be guided. They converted to Islam and obeyed messenger of Allah [PBUH], Prophet [PBUH] told them: “Gabriel” says: Islam has conditions andcovenants that you should practice them and that condition is that you should testify that god is one, the god who is unique, he wasn’t born and doesn’t have wife and companions and should testify that “Muhammad” is his creature and messenger and god sent him to guide people and there will be no Prophet after him, and testify that god gives life and causes death, this is god who makes rich or poor and does what he wants and brings people out of grave {on the day of resurrection}, they said: we believed in them, then he said: one of conditions is that to perform “Wudu” perfectly, though, it causes sadness. You should wash your face and hand until elbow and touch your head and feet and perform “Ghusl al-Janabah” {major ceremonial washing of the whole body after sexual intercourse}whether it’s warm or cold, say prayer and pay the “Zakat” of “Halal” wealth to those who must be paid. Perform “Hajj” and fast entire month of “Ramadan”, fight in god’s way and favor your parents, visit you relatives and behave people justly. Halt after facing doubts until you get to Imam and ask him the reality that he knows the response of all doubts, know the imam after me and know the imams after him one by one, be the friends of god’s friend and be the enemy of his enemies and hate devil and her group and followers and vow your hatred of groups who fought against messenger of “Allah” such as: “Banu Umayyah” and “Uday” and their followers, you should hate those who fought against the religion of god and my Sunnah, you should stay away of them until day of resurrection and die with such belief, drinking wine must be given up, O “Khadija”! Did you understand me and god’s conditions? She said: Yes, I did, and I accepted them and believed in them, “Ali” [AS] accepted and believed in them as well. Then messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: O “Ali”! Do you swear allegiance with such conditions, he said: Yes, I do. Then Prophet [PBUH] put his hand in Ali’s hand and said: swear allegiance with me with the same conditions and defend me as you defend yourself, “Ali” [AS] shed tear and said: may my parents be sacrificed to you.

Messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: O “Ali”! Swear to god of “Kaaba” you were guided and reached the solvation. O “Khadijah”! God guided you, then he told her: put your hand above Ali’s hand and swear allegiance with him, she did so. Then messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: O “Khadijah”! “Ali” is the leader and guardian of you and all believers and their imam after me, “Khadijah” said: O messenger of Allah! You’re right, and as you told me, I swore allegiance with him.

“Majlisi” – Bihar al-Anwar – vol. 18, p 232

Hadrat “Khadijah” is the first person who swore allegiance with hadrat “Ali” [AS]

Then messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: O “Khadijah”! “Ali” is the leader and guardian of you and all believers and their imam after me, “Khadijah” said: O messenger of Allah! You’re right, indeed, as you said, I swore allegiance with him. You and god are my witnesses.

Solute on your chaste and good wives, mothers of the believers, particularly on honest, chaste, pure soul, well-pleased and well-pleasing lady, “Khadijah”, the mother of the believers.

“Majlisi” – Bihar al-Anwar – vol. 97, p 189

When Prophet [PBUH] would invite idolaters and hypocrites to Islam religion, “Quraysh” would bother and insult him, but when he’d return home with burden of sorrow and grief, his sadness and grief would disappear by seeing hadrat “Khadijah” [AS] and her consolation:

In the beginning of invitation, when messenger of Allah [PBUH] would invite his tribe to Islam religion, they denied him andtried to kill him but his uncle “Abu Talib” didn’t let them to do so and “Abu Talib” was leader of his tribe, Prophet’s heart would fill with sorrow when he’d face their enmity and obduracy, he’d go to hadrat “Khadijah” in such mood and she’d console him and want him to be patient and spent all her wealth in the way of Prophet [PBUH] and such works would reduce his pain. When number of Muslims increased in “Mecca”, hadrat “Abu Talib” passed away, after three days, hadrat “Khadijah” died too. That’s why Prophet [PBUH] would always say: when “Abu talib” and “Khadijah” [AS] were alive, no sorrow made me sad; because “Abu Talib” would defend him and hadrat “Khadijah” would console him.